Portable combination public-address system and lectern



y 969 F. c. BOLICK, JR 3,443,031

PORTABLE COMBINATION PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM AND LECTERN Filed Nov. 19, 1965 Sheet of 2 INVENTOR. FRED c. BOLICK, JR

ATTORNEYS Sheet May 6, 1969 F. c. BOLICK, JR

PORTABLE COMBINATION PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM AND LECTERN Filed Nov. 19, 1965 R J 4 5 MM w T N mm R v. m We r m D E 2 G J07 I \9 4 2 I, \n I I \\\n\ f 7 I 5 I I F m Q O v Y FIG. 3

United States Patent 3,443,031 PORTABLE COMBINATION PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM AND LECTERN Fred C. Bolick, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., assignor to Lanier Electronics Laboratory, Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Filed Nov. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 508,749 Int. Cl. H05k 5/02 U.S. Cl. 1791 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable lectern with a working surface held in place by its placement into a slot that runs the length of the moveable top of the lectern enclosure.

The present invention relates to a portable publicaddress system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained public-address system which also serves as a portable lectern.

It is common practice for public speakers to employ a public-address system when addressing an audience in a classroom, lecture hall, auditorium or at an outdoor gathering. The speaker is thereby 'able to reach large audiences without undue strain on his voice while at the same time insuring that the audience is able to clearly hear him. The latter mentioned capability assists in obtaining large audiences and maintaining their attention throughout the performance or lecture.

Public-address systems generally fall into two categories. The first category includes those public-address systems which are of a permanent type. In these systems the amplifier and speakers are actually built into the walls and ceilings of the buildings as integral parts of the structure. The microphone, of course, connects to the amplifier by a suitable cable as it is usually necessary for it to be freely movable. This system is costly both as to initial installation as Well as subsequent maintenance, which may be necessary.

In contrast to the permanent systems, the second category includes those systems intended for temporary installation and are, therefore, of a portable nature. These systems are usually composed of a separate amplifier in combination with several separate speakers. In setting up the system several supports are required for the placement of the individual speakers at various points with respect to the audience. A large quantity of connecting cable is also required to connect the amplifier with the various speakers. Not only is the installation of these temporary systems extremely time consuming but once installed it has the appearance of an unsightly array of speakers and connecting cables.

Regardless of which of the above categories of systems are employed a speakers lectern is also usually necessary to support the speakers reference material. These lecterns are often heavy and bulky thereby making them difficult to move about.

The present invention provides a portable publicaddress system housed within a convenient carrying case which also serves as a lectern for a speaker. As a result, the compact portable public-address system of the present invention affords many conveniences heretofore not foun in similar devices.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, portable public-address system within a housing which serves as a lectern.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-contained public-address system having a housing which serves both as a carrying case and a lectern.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a 3,443,031 Patented May 6, 1969 self-contained public-address system having a housing wherein one wall thereof becomes a supporting surface for a speakers reference material.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable combination public-address system and lectern of the present invention set up for operation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention in a closed condition for convenient transportation.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention in an open position which corresponds to the perspective view shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a self-contained public-address system and portable lectern combination which comprises a housing 1 having a pair of opposite side walls 2 and 3 between which are mounted a rear panel 4 and, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a front panel 5 and a base 6. A pivotally mounted top 8 is positioned between the uppermost portion of the side walls and has a carrying handle 9 secured thereto for easy transport of the device.

Internally of the housing is mounted a public-address system comprising an amplifier, speaker and mounting connections for a microphone and other electrical equipment.

Shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rear panel 4 is positioned in a somewhat recessed manner from the outermost edges of the side walls as indicated by reference numeral 10. This recess is provided to accommodate a movable lectern platform 7 when the device is closed. This platform and its operation will be discussed later in more detail. Along the lower portion of the rear panel is an elongated horizontal opening 11 within which an input-output group is mounted. This group contains a variety of the conventional input receptacles which may include a power source, phonograph, recorder, or remotely positioned microphones. Conventional output receptacles may also be provided for external speakers and recording. It is also possible to install other receptacles which may be desired. All of the receptacles are internally connected to the amplifier and speaker system contained within the housing.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a control panel 13 integrally mounted within the pivotal top 8. This control panel is provided with the normal control means for a publicaddress system, such as off-on, volume and tone controls. In addition, a microphone receptacle is provided whereby a flexible microphone 14 mounted on a support within the housing may be connected into the public-address system. For the convenience of the speaker using the present device, a timer may also be provided on the control panel.

An illuminating lamp 15 may be mounted within the pivotal top 8 in such a manner as to cast its light outward and downward onto the control panel and also the lectern platform 7.

Referring next to FIG. 2, the structure of the housing may be seen in more detail wherein an amplifier 40 is shown mounted in the rear corner of the base 6 and a speaker 41 is mounted on the front panel 5. In this closed position the lectern platform 7 is located within the recess 10 between the side walls and in face-to-face relationship with the exterior surface of rear panel 4. A bracket 15 is secured along each side of the upper portion of the lectern platform. These brackets extend inwardly of the housing through corresponding slots cut in the upper portion of the rear panel 4. The slots are open at their upper ends along the upper edge of rear panel 4. Inside the housing there is a support brace 17 mounted adjacent each side wall and communicating between the front and rear panels. As shown in the drawings, the support braces are located in the same relative position as the brackets 15 of the lecturn platform. A horizontal longitudinal slot 18 is cut in the braces 17 within which riders 16 secured to brackets 15 may slide. As will be understood the brackets 15 provide the sole means whereby the lectern platform is attached to the housing. To insure that the lectern platform remains in position a pair of springs 19 are provided which extend between the brackets 15 and the front panel 5.

The above described arrangement for securing the leetern platform 7 to the housing also allows the platform to be pivoted outward and upward to a position wherein it may be used to support the reference material of a speaker using the device. This movement and positioning is shown in further detail in FIG. 3.

While a specific arrangement for attaching, moving and supporting the lectern platform has been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other mechanisms and arrangements may be employed to produce the same functioning and results.

The base 6 serves to support the amplifier 40 located within the housing. Additionally, a battery may be mounted elsewhere on the base and connected to the amplifier for operation of the device of the present invention in areas where electricity is not readily available. The base 6 may also be provided with external supporting legs of a conventional type.

The front panel is provided with a speaker opening 20 over which the cone of the speaker is internally mounted. A thin sheet of insulation 21 may be mounted over the remaining internal surface of the front panel 5 to improve the performance of the speaker. This insulation may be any sound absorbing material such as a plastic foam or porous matted fabric. The external side of the front panel 5 is covered with a suitable mesh fabric 22 such as is conventionally used as a facing grid in speaker cabinets.

The pivotal top 8 comprises an upper surface 30, a rear side 31, a front side 32, and two opposite end sides 33. At the lower edge of the rear side 31 is an inwardly extending angular flange 34 which serves to sealingly engage the upper edge of the rear panel 4. This sealing engagement is not necessarily one which is airtight or watertight. The front panel 32 also has an inwardly extending flange 35 along its lower edge. This flange serves as a support for the control panel 13.

The control panel 13 is secured within the pivotal top in a nearly diagonal relationship between the upper surface 30 and the front flange 35. The upper portion 36 of the control panel has an angular configuration which allows it to pass behind the illuminating lamp secured within the pivotal top. The lower portion of the control panel comprises a U-shaped channel 37 for receiving and supporting the upper edge of the lectern platform 7 when the device of the present invention is open and assembled for use, as shown in FIG. 3.

The pivotal top 8 is mounted by pivoting means 40 onto the side walls, 2 and 3 of the housing. This mounting may comprise a rod extending completely between the side walls or it may be merely a set of pins located on each side of the top. Since the pivotal mounting is located near the front of the top 8, cushioned supports 41 are provided on the side walls near the rear of the top. The cushion supports may comprise any resilient material and are secured on each of the side walls in a position whereby the lower edges of the opposite end sides 33 come into engagement therewith. It is not necessary that these supports be cushioned but they are preferred.

A spring-loaded catch 42 on each side wall and corresponding pin 43 on each end side of the top are provined to hold the top in a closed position. As illustrated,

.4 there is a spring-loaded catch secured to the side wall 3 while the end side 33 of the top is provided with a pin 43. The spring-loaded catches are controlled for release by corresponding push buttons 45 located on the external surface of the sides 2 and 3 of the housing. Therefore, it may be seen that by depressing each of the push buttons on the side walls of the housing the top 8 may be pivoted upward. To assist this movement a leaf-type spring 46 is provided which is secured to one of the support braces 17. When the pivotal top 8 is closed this spring presses against the control panel 13. When the spring-loaded catches 42 are released the spring 46 forces the pivotal top 8 upward a sufficient amount to prevent the catches 42 from re-engaging the pins 43 when the push buttons are released.

The device of the present invention is opened and assembled as illustrated in FIG. 3. The top 8 is pivoted upward so that its front side 32 moves into supporting engagement with the upper edge of the front panel 5. The lectern platform 7 is then pivoted outward and upward as indicated by the dotted lines. As the lectern platform nears a substantially horizontal position it may be moved forward by means of riders 16 sliding within the slots 18 of support braces 17. The forward movement is terminated when the upper edge of the lectern platform becomes seated within the U-shaped channel 37 of the control panel 13. The assembly of the lectern platform within the channel is substantially aided by means of springs 19.

The combination public-address system and lectern i's thereafter ready for use by merely attaching the flexible microphone 14 to its support (not shown) and connecting it to the receptacle in the control panel.

The overall size of the thus described combination public-address system and lectern is most conveniently about the 'same size as a portable phonograph or tape recorder. It should be understood that other sizes are also within the purview of the present invention.

It should be apparent that the present invention has provided an extremely versatile device. It may be operated by using an external power source or by relying upon self-contained batteries within the housing. Furthermore, it may be used with a convenient flexible microphone secured to a support on one of the side walls of the housing or, alternatively, external remote microphones may be used. The device also has the capability of operating additional external speakers. Convenient recording is also possible.

Thus, having described the present invention it will be apparent that certain variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and therefore the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a public-address system having a speaker and a control for said speaker, a housing in which said speaker is mounted, a top in which said control is mounted and which is positioned on said housing for pivotable motion relative to said housing between a first position in which said control is enclosed by said top and said housing and a second position in which said control is displaced from said housing, a platform positioned on said housing for motion relative to said housing between a working position of said platform that places an edge of said platform adjacent said top when said top is in said second position and a storage position, and slot means positioned on said top for retaining said platform in said working position.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said speaker is mounted on a first panel of said housing and in which said platform storage position is substantially parallel to said first panel.

3. The system of claim 2 in which said first panel defines one side of said housing and a second panel defines a second side of said housing substantially parallel to said one side and in which said platform is adjacent and parallel to said second side of said housing when said platform is in said storage position.

4. The system of claim 2 in which said housing, said top in said first position of said top, and said platform in said storage position of said platform are positioned relative to each other so as to define a substantially completely enclosed box.

5. The system of claim 1 in which said control is mounted on a control panel that is positioned in said top and that is substantially vertically oriented when said top is in said second position.

6. The system of claim 5 in which said platform is substantially horizontally oriented when said platform is in said working 'position.

7. The system of claim 6 in which said platform in said working position engages said control panel below said control when said top is in said second position. 8. The system of claim 1 including resilient means for urging said top from said first position toward said second position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,126,450 3/1964 Neil et a1. 2,284,811 6/ 1942 Ferrelle 10838 1,761,673 6/1930 Laursen 312231 KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primaly Examiner. R. P. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 108-124; 312231 

